Host-guest interaction of calixarene molecules with neutral benzotrifluorides -: Comparison of luminescence spectral data with results of model calculations relating to complex formation

The 'host' properties of calix[4]arene and 4-tert-butyl-calix[6]arene molecules under the effect of different neutral pesticide related trifluoromethyl-benzene molecules as 'guests' have been investigated by spectrofluorometric method. Significant dependence of the photoluminescence behaviour of calixarene derivatives on the structure of interactive molecules was detected in chloroform and dimethylformamide solvent. The formation of stable host-guest complexes was checked by quantum-chemical method. The results show that the photoluminescence signal reflects the supramolecular interaction. This makes calixarenes promising candidates as host molecules to be used in chemical sensors measuring neutral organic molecules. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.